Preschoolers can join the Construction Kitties for a busy day on the job. From sunup to sundown, these friendly felines work hard as they operate dump trucks, bulldozers, and backhoes. But it’s not all work—a lunch break of sardines and milk hits the spot. Then it’s back to the trucks to finish their grand construction. What will it be? A playground for kitties!

Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges is a professor of illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design and owner of Studio Goodwin Sturges, an artists' representative for children's book illustrators that she founded with her late husband, children's book author Philemon Sturges. Judy Sue and Philemon lived in Rome for several years before settling in Boston's South End, where Judy Sue hangs her hat with her sweet Italian Spinone dog, Tullia-but no Construction Kitties. Shari Halpern studied illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design and is the illustrator of many books, including the I Love series written by Philemon Sturges. Some of the diggers in Construction Kitties were inspired by the beautiful purple, aqua, and chartreuse trucks she sometimes sees on construction sites. Shari lives in New Jersey with her husband, a puppet maker, three playground-loving children, and one fluffy Construction Kitty.